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(I10 Model.)

. E OS'GOLOD.

Device for Canceling Stamps. No. 236,074. Patented Dec 28,1880,

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DEVICE FOR CANCELING STAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,074, dated December 28, 1880. Application filed May 21, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENOGH OSGOOD, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Canceling Stamps I and for other purposes; and I do hereby dein the groove; Fig.3, a face view of the plunger,

showing the best form of the cutting-edge and base ofythe teeth, which can be made in any desired form. Figs. 4 and 5 are face and sec tional views, on an enlarged scale, of the cutting-edges on the plunger.

The object of my invention is to cut and mill a portion of the stamp or paper in such a manner as to destroy part of the stamp, so that it cannot be used again, whether inked or not, While the other portion of the stamp is held in place and uninjured. By a lateral or twist motion myimproved canceler cuts, mills, and twists out small portions that cannot be replaced.

My invention also affords a sure protection against erasing and raising the amounts on checks, notes, drafts, &c. The twisting and milling of that portion of the paper that is scraped up and condensed in the round base of the teeth of my improved canceler renders the paper not unlike blotting-paper, so that moisture, when applied, is absorbed at once, making it impossible to remove or use such stamp or paper again.

I first cast or shape a hollow body, A, for the canceler in the shape of a T; but any other desired shape can be used that will produce the same result. The middle part, 00, of

the bodyA is to unite in suitable manner with a handle. In the body A, I secure a concave annular partition, h, near the center, theconcave lower face of which is to fit a ball, a. I then make a hollow ball, a, to fit into the seat h or concave partition, so that ,the ball a will turn in any direction to permit the face g of the cancelcr to adjust itself to the article struck. The ball a is drilled out to produce a cavity as large and deep as it will bear, leaving only strength enough to prevent its bursting when in uset he thinner the better.

I) is a plunger adapted to fit in the cavity of the ball a, the stem of the plunger fitting the small hole through the upper part of the ball a. The inner end of the stem is turned small to leave a shoulder, d, for a spring, 0, to rest on to force the plunger b out. On the outer or lower end of the plunger 1) is a small neck, f, and on that a disk or plate, g, of any de sired size. The cavity in the ball-seat it must be sufficiently large to give ample facility for the plunger 1) to turn in any direction, and to move up and down therein. The body of the plunger 11 must be shorter than the depth of the cavity in the ball a to give room to ply in and out, and the outer end of the plunger 1) should be made convex to complete the circle of the ball a. A ring-shaped cap, i, is fitted to the outer end of the body A, to keep the plunger and ball in place, the hole in the cap i being large enough to allow the plunger to oscillate within the body A, together with the ball a. The face of the disk 9 of this plunger 12 is out not unlike a rasp or file, with the teeth out round on the base, (see Figs. 3, 4:, and 5,) wherewith to condense that portion of the stamp or paper that is scraped up, and to mill it by the lateral or twist motion, rendering the scraped part of the paper not unlike blottingpaper. The cuts or teeth in the face 9 must not be too many nor too deep; if so, it will tear off the stamp; say from three to five teeth in three or four places on the face 9 and on a circle. (See Fig. 3.) The smooth part of the face 9 holds the stamp or paper while being cut.

, In the body of the plunger 1), I have one or more spiral grooves, s 8, cut of any desired width, and deep enough to admit a small pin, 7c, that projects into the groove from the body A. Thereby, when the plunger 1) isstruck, it will at the same time be turned, giving the teeth a rotary motion, to cut, mill, and destroy whatever it strikes when used without inking.

Having described the making and use of my invention or postal-stamp cancelcr, (that mode being the most simple I adopt for general use,) I wish to state that I do not limit myself to the particular construction of parts shown.

When the instrument is applied, plunger b receives three motions: It slides up into the body A, it turns on its own axis, and it rocks or oscillates, together with the ball, to adapt itself to any inclined position of the surface struck.

I claim- 1. The plunger b, made with spiral groove or track 8, in combination with the body A, hollow ball a, and pin it, so that the plunger is moved Vertically, oscillated with the ball, and turned. on its own vertical axis, when struck, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The oscillating and turning plunger-disk g, constructed with a flat lower face and with teeth that are cut with a circular cutting-edge and round base, substantially as herein set forth.

3. The ball-socket h in body A, in combination with the ball a, capable of turning in the socket, and with the plunger 1), capable of 20 ENOCH OSGrOOD.

Witnesses:

W ILLY G. E. SCHULTZ, WILLIAM H. 0. SMITH. 

